Fishing Tips: Run for the Border

Borders, or transition areas, can be great fishing spots. Any place that starts to become a little different can attract fish because it may provide a better habitat, concentrate bait fish, or serve as an ambush point. By seeking places to fish near borders, anglers can increase their chances of success.

Here are some fishing tips for finding border areas:

1. If fishing open water, anglers look for aquatic vegetation.

2.  However, in extremely “weedy” areas, anglers seek places to fish near open holes, or at least changes in the vegetation type or composition.

3. Clarity varies with rain events. Borders of turbidity from feeder creek runoff or proximity to the dam of a reservoir can affect fish movement.

4. Temperature forms borders too, such as the thermocline. Increasing depth usually means cooler water. And that runoff from a rain may be cooler than the main water body during the heat of summer.

5. Windlines are long narrow surface strips created by the wind which may contain a concentration of aquatic insects, leaves, or tree seeds to attract fish.

6. Also watch for changes in the river or lake substrate. Bottom changes from a soft silt to gravel or even larger rocks will greatly influence fish presence and activity. If polarized glasses aren’t enough, detection can be accomplished just by the feel of a bottom bouncing jig.

Here’s another fishing tip: when fishing with the family, make sure the kids have polarized sunglasses too. Not only will this fishing gear give kids something to do between bites on a fishing trip, but it will help empower them. By watching for border areas, they will learn more about fisheries and help decide where the next hot fishing spots may be. Be sure to check for additional family fishing tips.